The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-10-27
mot GUILTY"
John A. Norwood Acquitted of the Muir
q der OF Taylor Strum.

Superior Court last week. A jury was Sc
lected from the special venire of one hum
dred on Thursday, all the evidence was
gone through with and the case given to
the jury about o'clock Friday afternoon.
Before the State had closed its case from
the testimony adduced it became evident
to the minds of many that a verdict of
guilty would not be found.
Self-defense was the plea set up by the
defense. 1t Was proven that Strum was
mad with Norwood and that he had threat
ened to kill him if he ever crossed him.
On the fatal Sunday morning that the Kill
ing took place, Norwood went to Strunl's
house short distance from his own to get
some Calves tina: had strayed off over there.
Strum had taken h IN up and demanded
the payment Of so cents head for damages.
done before he would let them go. lie
had refused to let sister of Norweod's
(who did the milkingl have the calves
after she had found out where they were
and had gone for them, telling her to send
John, that he was the right person to get
them. Upon being acquainted with this
fact Norwood put his pistol i'm his pocket
and taking his two little brothers and
another little boy with him to help drive
the calves home, went over to Strum's after
them. Calling to Stfum who was some
where about the lot Norwoed made the,
object of his visit known. Strum went out
to where Norwood was and soon quarrel
ensued. Norwood swore Strum drew his
pistol and attempted to shoot when he
(NOrwoOd1 shot first, while the wounded
man short while before he died said in
answer to question put to him and after
some hesitation, that it was not until after
Norwood drew his pistol that he (Struln)
drew his Norwood was borne out in his
testimony by one of the little boys.
The evidence was such as to leave no
doubt in the minds of the jurors that they
should not return verdict Of guilty as
charged i'll the bill of indictment. but all
OF them it seems were not so we'll satisfied
that Norwood Was acting purely in self
defense at the time he shot Strum, and it
is understood that while ten were agreed
upon verdict of acquittal, two others
We're of the opinion that he was guilty of
nanslaughter at least, and their minds
had to be settled on that point before they
would hold to the contrary. Thus matters
stood for some time and it was not until
about o'clock Saturday afternoon that
the jury agreed upon all acquittal; and
then not before they had applied to the
Judge for further instruction upon certain
facts in the case and the law bearing upon
the same.
The case had attracted great deal of
attention and the court room was crowded
during the progress of the trial. The State
was represented by Solicitor Worthington,
assisted by Robert W. Winston, Esq, and
the defense by Messrs. Edwards & Worth
am and A. z. Zolliceffer, Esq. Able ar
guments were made by counsel on both
sides. Col. Worthington lead for the State
in beautiful and impressive speech. and
while lie measured up to the full standard
of his duty as visorou, anu impartial up
holder OF the ma esty Of the law, and an
ca rnest and Jealous defender of the fair
name of the State, his remarks were CHAR
acterized by no feeling of bitterness to-
ward the prisoner at the bar whom he was
followed next in a speech full OF force and
logic lie confined himself closely to the
law and the testimony, dwelling upon
facts rather than figures of Oratory, and
leaving it to the sense of right and justice
of the jury to decide upon the merits of the
case instead of appeals to their sympathies
or prejudices. In his argument throughout
Mr.. Zollicoffer's points were we'll taken
and we'll expressed. Col, Edwards fol-
lowed and closed the argument for the de-
fense Those who know him need not be
told that i'll so important case he made a
speech worthy of the man and the occa-
sion. Every point of the law, every fact
of the testimony. was cleverly brought out,
clear and lucid as crystal stream, and in
presenting his argument Col. Edwards
confined himself alone to the law and the
facts, while occasionally these took the
form of fine passages of speech clothed in
richest apparel Of choicest rhetoric, sound
and convincing to the judgment as we'll as
euphonious and pleasing to the ear. No
man can present case more directly and
intelligently to a jury, and he never used
his splendid powers to better advantage
perhaps. Mr. Winston closed for the State.
He is strong and vigorous thinker and an
apt and ready speaker, and his argument
was powerful appeal for conviction and
the vindication of the law. While his re-
marks were favored somewhat with bitter.
ness, perhaps he did not show more feeling
than is natural under the circumstances,
when one is filled with sense Ut duty il
the premises, and becomes fully aroused
upon his subject. Mr.. Winston made q
fine speech-a strong one-fully sustaining
his reputation as an advocate and lawyer
of no ordinary ability. -. =. -.
In his charge to the jury Judge Shipl
carefully reviewed all the testimonyEln ths
case and instructed accordingly. Ills rul
ings were favorable to the prisoner and WI
suppose he did not expect verdict OF gull
ty would he brought in, while both he ant
the Solicitor might have anticipated tina
the prisoner would be found guilty Of man
slaughter.
) Young Norwood was warmly congra;
! ulated by large number of friends wlsei
he walked from the court room free mai
once more.
7 WANTED.-Everybody WHO reads thi
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G will 90 to E. T.. Nights where goods ca
he had at the very tocest possible prices
= Here are some extraordinary bargain:
e namely Ejght-day striking walnut clock